Mantelpiece



- plate of glass.

HIRAM TUCKER, oF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.,

MANTELPIECE.

Specication of Letters Patent No. 7,253, dated April 2, V1850.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, I-IIRAM TUCKER, of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Manufacture of h/Iantelpieces,.and that the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the principle or character which distinguishes it from all other things before'known and of the usual manner of making, modifying, and using the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l, is a front elevation. Fig. 2, is an elevation of one end. Fig. 3, is an elevation of the iron frame or guard. Fig. 4, is a plan of t-he back of one of the pilasters. Fig. 5, is a vertical section on the line az, w, of Fig. 4. Fig. 6, is a front elevation of a Fig. 7 is a back view of the same.

The nature of my invention consists in forming a mantel-piece of glass orsimilar material properly ornamented on its back by paint or otherwise, and surrounded and guarded by a cast iron frame-work, which shields the glass from injury by accident; said metal frame serving at the same time as an ornament, which can be highly elaborated into any pattern that the fancy of the manufacturer may suggest; .by means of which I am enabled to form mantel-pieces of the greatest beauty and durability, at a comparatively small cost to what they could be made in any material before used for that purpose.

In order to construct a mantel-piece according to my plan, I rst prepare a set of patterns of the several parts of the frame or guard, according to the design I may adopt. From these patterns I prepare the necessary castings to form a frame A, of the mantel-piece, containing as many open panels B, as there are to be plates of glass 'in the combination. These castings are formed with rabbets C, to confine the plates of glass and protect their edges; also with fianges and ears for the admission of screw bolts D, by which the several parts are confined together. The castings are then made smooth by rubbing and filing, or by other means. The several castings, comprising the frame of the mantel-piece, are fitted together; they are then taken apart and japanned, bronzed,

or colored. The plates of glass F, are variegated, or painted on the surfaces next the wall, to imitatefthe finest marbles or other articles; and when'V dry, are placed in the metallic frame to form the marbled portions ofthe pilasters and frieze and ornamental pediment above the mantel, or cornice, and secured by plaster of Paris, or other durable cement. To render the plates of glass still more rm and secure, I cover their painted surfaces or backs next the wall, with a coat of plaster of Paris, or other durable cement, which renders them firm and secure against fracture. The apanned surfaces of the castings are then polished; the several parts of the mantel-piece are now ready to be shipped abroad, or removed to the building and put up. In putting up the mantel-piece T shaped bolts embedded in the brick or stone work, or furring of. the building, are employed to confine it tothe wall more securely;A said bolts passing through corresponding apertures in the castings, and having nuts screwed on them. The mantel-piece, however, can be secured to the walls in various ways, either by staples 0r` other means; or it would retain its upright 80 position against the wall by the use of du-V rable cement alone. The joints around the mantel-piece being 'properlykjointed and col- .L ored, the mantel-piece!y will be completed,"v and present a much richer appearance than 854 the entire marble mantel-piece in use. i The several castings should be of uniform thickness, say about a quartenofan inch..f The shelf, or cornice, should be hollow,.butl have the appearance of solidity and thickness, in front, and at the ends. The lining' F, around the fireplace should, be cast infa17j single piece, and set back of the pilasters, and secured thereto, by screws or'other suit; able fastenings. The wholeoffthe metallicx95 work may be bronzed, and made to possessVVV a very rich appearance, and may be more or less ornamented. The vplates of glass` should be about a quarter of an inch thick, i butmay be ofgreater or less thickness,and be highly polished. 7 Having thus fully described my improved mantle piece, what I claimvtherein as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is .Y Y f .105"k The manufacture of mantle pieces, by theV combination of cast iron frames of ornameans that gives strength and supprt w mental open Work, with a1 back, 01;?1 grould the Whole, substantially as described. y Work o plate glass, or ot 1er .vitri ed su stance, colored in imitation of marble, or HIRAM TUCKER after any other` style of decoration; the said Vitnesses:

ground Work being secured to the frames J. J. GREENOUGH, by means of plaster of Paris, or any other T. C. DONN. 

